'Make Party Visible': BJP To Workers After Leaders Go Missing Amid Covid

BJP President JP Nadda's letter comes amid criticism that the party's top leadership was not seen enough on the ground during the second Covid wave.

The BJP has reminded its workers of the need to serve people in their moment of pain and struggle -- and the need to be seen doing it. The party, wincing from criticism that its leaders were missing in action, especially during the second wave of the Covid pandemic, is now eyeing course correction. In a letter to all BJP-ruled states, party chief JP Nadda has said that all functions to mark seven years of the Narendra Modi government be avoided on May 30. "Party workers should dedicate themselves in the service of the society," he recommended instead, saying people must be thanked for giving the BJP a chance to serve for seven years.  Party-ruled states will also launch a scheme on this occasion to help children orphaned during the pandemic, he said, the details of which will be circulated shortly. "Standing by children who have lost both parents and providing them every support for their safe future is also our social responsibility...The idea is that all BJP-ruled states launch the programme together when the BJP-led government at the Centre completes seven years," he said, according to a PTI report. Its top leadership has also asked workers to arrange medicines, hospital beds, oxygen supplies in government hospitals -- the country's medical system has suffered a severe paucity of these resources in recent months.Mr Nadda's letter reminded BJP workers of its motto, 'Seva Hi Sangathan' (Service is organisation).The party has in the recent past faced severe criticism as its leaders were perceived to be missing in helping people hit by the pandemic. This is in contrast with last year when, during the migrant crisis, its workers were seen arranging food packets and other facilities at a mass level.